WAVERLEY (MELBOURNE) REDS

Formed by Melbourne’s powerful local club Waverley Wildcats, the Waverley Reds were to become the first “flagship” of the new ABL competition. The Reds were a combination of Waverley stars, blended with mostly established performers from other local Melbourne clubs. The team was highly experienced and did not have a weakness; this was the secret to their near invincibility.

Cincinnati Reds US imports Pete Beeler (catcher) and Carl Grovom (pitcher) were among the finest ever to feature in the ABL and each played their part in the success. Waverley Reds completed a totally dominant inaugural season of ABL competition with a decisive 3-1 Championship Series win.

Waverley Reds could only play the first two games of the Championship series at home due to VFL usage of Waverley Park for pre-season football competition.

Was it “Championship hangover”, or the improvement in the rest of the teams?

Hard to judge, but there is little doubt that the 1990/91 Waverley Reds were a disappointment to their fans who expected a repeat of their inaugural Championship.

Perhaps the highlight of the season for the Reds was the then record home crowd of 11,444 that flocked to Waverley Park on 9 November 1991... an attendance the Reds have sadly not approached since!

ABL legend Jon Deeble joined the Reds when “his” Monarchs went into exile. He was to be voted the Reds’ MVP for 1991.

Teenager Myles Barnden emerged as ABL Rookie of the Year.

US import Mike Anderson was a quality pitcher and All-Star Pete Beeler returned for another very good season.

Reds battle through an “unspectacular” season to finish a disappointing ½ game out of the Championship series action.

Team boss Phil Dale moved from the Cincinnati Reds to Atlanta Braves during the US season and ultimately organised the Reds to change affiliate to the Braves.

We could not complain about our first influx of Braves’ imports that were arguably the best “group” in Reds’ history.

Lion-hearted pitcher Scott Ryder was an honest performer on the mound, while outfielders Brian Kowitz and Kevin O’Connor were perhaps the best pair of US position players ever to join the Reds.

Third place may have satisfied some teams, but not Waverley Reds!

Waverley Reds make a long awaited return to the playoff action in 1992/93 but couldn’t overcome Perth Heat at Parry Field.

The Reds were best served by import pitcher Carlos Reyes who will always rank among the finest pitchers in the history of our league.

Powerful youngster Andrew Spencer emerged as a dangerous hitter and was rewarded with Rookie of the Year honors.

Phil Dale was again voted Manager of the Year for re-shaping the inaugural Champions into a new team with a crop of younger players who would be the stars of the future; among them Aaron Harvey, Scott Dawes and Glenn Reeves.

Dale himself made a controversial transition to relief pitcher and was again an excellent performer on the mound.

Great Reds’ favorites Ronnie Carothers and David Buckthorpe were both released and allowed to join crosstown rivals Melbourne Monarchs.

Little to boast for the Waverley Reds after a “re-building” 1993/94 season.

The Reds again concentrated on their development of young players for the next generation; among them were Michael Nakamura, Ben Utting and Shane Hogan.

The less said about our Atlanta Braves imports the better! Outfielder Pedro Swann with pitchers Michael Place and John Wilder each failed to impress.

The Reds were again best served by their “heart & soul” future ABL legends Phil Dale, David 'Clarko' Clarkson, Matty Sheldon-Collins and Simon 'Spike' Sheldon-Collins.